New Medical Release Every Year?

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Kryssa

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Location
Santa Clara, CA
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I had childhood asthma, so before getting my c-card in March, I needed my doctor to sign the release. I've only done 11 dives, so I have a question for you much more experienced divers...

Should I bring a fresh copy to my doctor during my yearly check up and have her sign it every year?

Even though I needed the form to get the c-card, so perhaps the charters should trust that I have a doctor's permission anyway, I've heard from posters on this forum that some charters may make you sign another medical form. If you answer "yes" you can't dive without a doctor's permission.

Does it make sense to already be armed with that form, dated less than a year from the current date? Or does the original form, dated back when you got your c-card suffice?
 
Is there anything on your c-card that says you have had asthma? If so I would conveniently get a doctors approval. If not, don't worry about it and don't say anything about it. Do let your dive buddy know of any current health concerns though.
 
Is there anything on your c-card that says you have had asthma? If so I would conveniently get a doctors approval. If not, don't worry about it and don't say anything about it. Do let your dive buddy know of any current health concerns though.
Nope.
 
You are a certified diver. That's it.

One of the liveaboards I dove did have a list of medical questions. If I had answered yes to one or more then a current medical would have been required.

Everywhere else I have dove I have only been asked for my c-card.
 
One of the liveaboards I dove did have a list of medical questions. If I had answered yes to one or more then a current medical would have been required.
So then, for the liveaboard you were on, I would need a current medical, or I'd have to lie, or I couldn't dive. It's not like there is a doctor who knows my history on board :p
 
If you are already at your doctors office, I would suggest that you complete a Medical Statement and have the doctor endorse the statement. Having it in your possession might prevent you having to make another doctor visit you you choose to take an additional class.

The RSTC medical statement clearly would indicate that a person who has "asthma, or wheezing with breathing, or wheezing with exercise" should indicate YES to the very first question on the form. The RSTC standards require anyone an instructor to see a doctor's endorsement anytime there is a YES on the form.

If course, some people advocate a position where it is none of the instructors business. But, the agency rules are the rules and they are free to establish them as they see fit.

Phil Ellis
DiveSports.com
 
I have to check "yes" to a couple of items, so I would need the form any time I take a new class. I never know when I am going to take a new class or need it for something else, so I routinely have a new one signed every time I have a physical. That way I have it when I need it. For example, I started cave training last year. I went to my instructor in Florida, and he produced a medical form for me to fill out. I just reached into my folder and pulled out mt current RSTC form. The class I was taking was not RSTC, but he was just fine with it. If I had had to get a Doctor's OK while I was half a continent away from my doctor, it would have been a problem.

Now, you could argue that if you do decide to take a class you can always go back to your doctor, but that is an extra trip, etc. I figure that as long as I am there, it only takes him a minute or two to take care of it, and that way I always have a current copy in my files.

BTW, the more years I have been diving, the more classes I take.
 
At age 70 I've got so many things wrong with me and take so many meds for them that if the dive operator knew the truth about them they wouldn't let me get within a couple miles of their boat. Best off to keep quiet about your asthma unless you think that it could cause you to have seizures or some other outlandish thing while underwater. Telling them about it would only mean that you possibly wouldn't get permission to dive off of their boat.
 
I have my doc sign a new statement every year.

That way, IF I take a course (often on short notice), I don't have to worry. I keep a copy of the statement with my dive log.
 
From what I understand, an updated medical statement is required for only for classes, not for regular diving charters, unless of course the dive op requests an updated form.
 

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